Saturday, February 26, 2011

A Sinner Saved By Grace

I've gotten in the habit of watching gospel music videos on Saturday evenings. I love the Gaither Vocal Band and they are definitely my favorites. I found this song tonight and it just touched my heart so much.

This song is my story - I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. If you could have seen where I started and where I am now you would understand the power of God's saving grace. I was an angry, bitter woman. A heathen who loved to run around, drink, swear and I thought that was life. I was in a horrible marriage to an abusive man and had a 16 year old daughter who was pregnant. I had nothing to lean on except myself and I was angry all the time.

I accepted the Lord when I was 15 years old in a little Baptist church in Virden, IL. But I didn't live my life for Christ. I continued in my sinful ways for many years. In 1986 a co-worker asked me to go to church with her and her husband. I was raised a Methodist and, while it was a wonderful church, it was not a Bible teaching church. We never read the Bible at home and it was rarely taught from on Sunday morning. When I walked into the Nazarene church with my friend I wondered what in the world I had gotten into. These people were carrying Bibles, they were raising their hands in praise, and they said "Amen" whenever they agreed with the pastor's teachings. That was not how people were supposed to act in church, or at least that is what I thought.

I continued to attend the church, bought a Bible, and found the joy of learning from God's word. When the pastor would teach I would soak it up like a sponge. On Easter Sunday 1987 I re-dedicated my life to the Lord and I have been living for Him ever since. This song just brings tears to my eyes because I realize that without the power of the Holy Spirit and God's grace I would still be that angry, bitter woman. That doesn't mean I'm perfect. I am very far from that. But the freedom that I enjoy in Christ allows me the opportunity to ask for forgiveness every day and I know that I will be forgiven. What a joyful life I have now!! I thank God for His loving mercy and for caring enough about an old sinner like me to send His son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. It is the greatest gift I have ever been given.

When I saw Virden, IL I had to write! My husband grew up in Palmyra. I met him in KS when we were both college students. We travel through Virden when we return to Palmyra/Modesto to visit his mother who still lives on the farm. His uncle (deceased) and aunt lived in Virden. We enjoyed visiting them now and then. Small world, huh?